Three UTEP basketball players released on suspicion of gambling

Richard Adauto, from the President's office sits next to UTEP head coach Tim Floyd as they answer various questions posed to them by members of the local media during a press conference called by the university to address allegations and rumors of "point shaving," by three members of the UTEP men's basketball program. After an investigation by the FBI it was determined that three players had gambled on sporting events which is a violation of NCAA rules. Justin Crosgil, McKenzie Moore and Jalen Ragland have been dismissed from the team for their involvement in gambling. (Ramon R. Ramirez / El Paso Times)

University of Texas at El Paso basketball players McKenzie Moore, Jalen Ragland and Justin Crosgile have been dismissed from both the team and school allegedly for betting on sporting events.

Assistant to the president Richard Adauto read an opening statement Tuesday afternoon in a press conference at the president's office:

"Last month, we received information that two men's basketball players may have been betting on sporting events. Immediately director of athletics Bob Stull, men's basketball coach Tim Floyd and I reported these allegations to university police and the FBI. Law enforcement authorities conducted a thorough investigation and determined that three men's basketball student-athletes - Justin Crosgile, McKenzie Moore and Jalen Ragland - participated in betting on one or more sporting events. To date, there was no indication that point shaving was involved. However, per NCAA rules, any type of sports gambling is prohibited and results in a one-year suspension and loss of a year of eligibility. All three players are upperclassmen, and therefore their college basketball careers are over. They are no longer enrolled at UTEP and are no longer a part of our basketball program."

Moore, a 6-foot-6 junior guard from Pleasant Hill, Calif., was the team's leader in scoring and assists. Ragland, a 6-7 junior from Chillicothe, Ohio, was a key reserve and had started in two games this season. Crosgile, a 5-11 guard who transferred to UTEP this season from Eastern Washington, was also a key reserve and started four games for the Miners this season. He had already graduated and was a graduate student.

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None of the students was available for comment.

UTEP, which has a 10-5 record and will open Conference USA play Thursday night against Charlotte in the Don Haskins Center, is not expected to face any NCAA sanctions and will not have to forfeit any games.

FBI spokesman Special Agent Michael Martinez said, "There is an ongoing investigation and it is based on a referral from UTEP. They have been extremely cooperative in this investigation and we appreciate all of their help in this."

Martinez said he could not give any more information on the investigation because it is still an open case.

"All of them (investigations) take a very long time and it is ongoing," Martinez said.

Floyd said all the rest of the Miner players had been interviewed by the FBI.

Floyd said he received a tip on Dec. 28 that Moore and Ragland were involved in gambling. The Miners were preparing to play Western Illinois that night in the opening round of the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. Floyd immediately notified Stull, who was in Springfield, Mo., visiting his son. Stull then immediately notified Adauto and the group then alerted the FBI.

Adauto said to this point there is no indication that point shaving is involved. That is a federal offense.

"However, gambling is a very serious issue," he said. "We initiated conversations with the FBI and turned over the information we had. We are not privy to the FBI investigation. We do know -- up to now -- they were not betting on UTEP games. But it is an NCAA violation to bet and gamble and that is why Coach Floyd jumped on this right away. When we got it, we acted on it."

As for Crosgile being involved, Floyd said, "We got that information late yesterday (Monday) afternoon."

Once the FBI reached its initial conclusions of the players' involvement in gambling, the university notified the NCAA.

"It is certainly a violation to bet," Stull said. "Most likely, the fact that we initiated the investigation, will help us. The punishment is all on the players."

Stull said the FBI did not know about the players gambling until UTEP alerted them to it.

"I don't think you will find another case where a university reported to the FBI," Floyd said.

And Stull said, "Twice a year -- in the fall and in the spring -- we have our compliance director speak to our athletes about the downfalls of gambling. We also have speakers come in and speak to our athletes about gambling."

Adauto said he did not think the reputation of the UTEP basketball program has been damaged.

"The program will survive," Adauto said. "It's a reflection on the people who did stupid things. Sometimes people do stupid things."

Stull added, "This is not a good situation for us. It's embarrassing. But we do not expect any problems with the NCAA."

But it is a setback for the basketball program -- a program that lost three of its star recruits last summer and now has lost three players. UTEP now has nine scholarship players and four walk-on players with which to finish the season.

"Many you have been parents, many of you are parents. Sometimes as a parent you are disappointed," Floyd said. "That's what I feel like. I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach. But my responsibility now is to the people who are here. And the guys who are here are great competitors and great kids."

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